Pistons resume homestand with visit from Wizards

Basketball Betting Lines

03/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Eastern Conference also-rans continue playing out the string tonight in Auburn Hills, where the Detroit Pistons play host to the Washington Wizards.

The Pistons fell to 1-1 on a three-game homestand Wednesday, when Deron Williams paced a balanced attack with 18 points and 12 assists as the Utah Jazz trounced Detroit, 115-104.

Charlie Villanueva paced the Pistons' attack with 19 points and Richard Hamilton put up 16 in the defeat, Detroit's seventh in eight games. Will Bynum had 14 points, Jonas Jerebko scored 13 and Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon each had 11.

Jason Maxiell provided 10 points and 11 boards for the Pistons.

"They're outstanding," said Pistons head coach John Kuester of the Jazz. "Deron Williams is one of the best point guards in the league. There are certain teams that come with a blue-collar work ethic that you have to come out with a lunch pail and be ready to go at them."

Pistons star guard Rodney Stuckey missed his second straight game after collapsing on the bench during a loss in Cleveland on March 5. Extensive cardiac tests Wednesday provided some good news and Stuckey, who is averaging a career-best 17.1 points per game, has been allowed to resume exercising. There is no timetable for his return to the floor, however.

The Wizards, meanwhile, lost their fifth straight game on Thursday, a 105-99 setback to Atlanta in the nation's capital. Jamal Crawford scored a team-high 29 points for the Hawks in that one.

Andray Blatche ended with 30 points and 10 rebounds but had seven of Washington's 21 turnovers. JaVale McGee and Nick Young posted 20 and 17 points, respectively, in the loss.

"When the other team scores 32 points off turnovers, you really don't give yourself much of a chance," Washington coach Flip Saunders said. "Turnovers basically killed us. You can't let a team score 30 or more points off your offense basically."

The Pistons have won five straight over the Wizards and will be shooting for a season sweep of the series tonight.

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JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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